Additional Links

Eligibility, Accommodations and Procedures

Eligibility

Disabilities and Documentation

Students with diagnosed disabilities must provide the Office of Disability Services with signicant and substantial documentation of their disability prior to arrangement of services.At Shippensburg University, a Declaration of Disability form, found on page seven of the student confirmation packet, must also be completed by the student and submitted.All paperwork relating to student disabilities must be mailed or faxed directly to the Office of Disability Services in 120 Horton Hall.The mailing address is located in the bottom left-hand corner of the Declaration of Disability form; the office fax number is 717-477-4065.

The diagnostic documentation required for services varies according to the type and severity of the disability.Generally speaking, a psychological evaluation report from a private psychologist OR a re-evaluation report from a school psychologist is required to confirm the presence of a learning disability or autism/Asperger’s Syndrome.If the disability includes a medical, physical, attention, or emotional diagnosis, a letter from the treating physician, diagnostician, therapist, or psychiatrist is required.The letter must be typed on professional letterhead, signed by the professional, and include the following:

the medical, physical, attention, or psychiatric diagnosis

the length of time being treated for the disability

the current treatment regimen, including medication (if any)

student’s functional limitations from the disability in an academic setting

specific recommendations for accommodations in a post-secondary setting

To view a copy of the Documentation of Disability Checklist form from the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), click the following link:

Accommodations and Procedures

Students with disabilities must be able to perform the essential objectives of the program/course with or without “reasonable accommodations.” Reasonable accommodations are defined as approved modifications which do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program/course, including academic requirements in postsecondary education. Students who receive appropriate accommodations at Shippensburg University must fulfill the requirements of the program/course.An accommodation cannot lower the standards or change the objectives of the program / course.

Planning is a critical step in seeking and securing accommodations in higher education.Requests for accommodations should be made in a timely manner. Students should begin the process once they have confirmed. The form is available in the confirmation packet as well as on the website. Requests for accommodations should be made no later than three weeks before the start of the semester.

Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis and may include:

Enlarged printing

Extended time for tests

Alternate testing sites

Note-taking services

Textbooks in alternate format

Reader/scribe/laptop for exams

Priority scheduling

Notification of faculty

Additionally, the Office of Disability Services maintains a Tech Lab, 136 Lehman Library, which is available by request to students with disabilities.For more information about the Tech Lab, click the following link: